From: press

From: press.releases@doh.state.nj= .us [mailto:press.releases@doh.state.nj.us]

Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 10:49 AM

To: njlincs@njlincs.net

Subject: News Release: NJ Department of Health & S= enior Services

Department of Health and Senior Se= rvices

News Rel= eases

P.O. Box 360=

Trenton , NJ 08625

CONTACT: Office of Communications

(609) 984-7160

RELEASE: October 28, 2009

Stateme= nt from Department of Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard on H1N1 Influenza

New Jers= ey continues to maintain open lines of communication with the public to ensure they have access to the most recent information on H1N1 influenza. There are a number of tools that N= ew Jerseyans can use to stay informed, and simple everyd= ay actions we can take to stay healthy.

New Jers= ey opened an H1N1 Information Hotline - 1-866-321-9571 earlier this month. Because of increased interest, call center hours will be extended to weekends. This toll-free public hotline wi= ll now be accessible seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call center opera= tors will be able to provide general information about H1N1, vaccine safety and availability information, symptoms of H1N1 and flu preventive measures. Since opening the hotline, the Dep= artment has answered more than 7,730 calls from the public.

New Jers= ey s flu activity has moved from regional to widespread. This means that H1N1 flu is presen= t in a majority of counties throughout the state.= While any type of flu is cause for concern, it is not cause for alarm. I urge all residents t= o stay informed and take simple preventive measures to stay healthy.

I also want to take this opportunity to provide an upd= ate on vaccine production and availability, vaccine safety, and H1N1 target populations.

New Jersey= ’s H1N1 Public Information Initiative

In an effort to provide critical information to the pu= blic, New Jersey creat= ed a Find a Flu Shot Locator, an H1N1 Resource Center website, and a toll-free hotline. These resources will= help ensure residents and health care providers have access to information and c= an obtain accurate responses to their questions.

The State established an H1N1 Resource Center website = that includes important information and timely updates on H1N1 flu in New Jersey. The website can be found at www.nj= .gov/health. Additional information on H1N1 flu is available at the federal website, www.flu.gov.

The Find a Flu Shot Locator can be accessed at www.nj.gov/health. Residents = can find where H1N1 flu clinics are being held throughout the State. Not all clinics are included on th= is list because some are being offered to very specific target populations, su= ch as school-based efforts and private doctors offices. Public flu clinics will be posted = on this site as soon as they are scheduled.&n= bsp; Additional public health clinics will be scheduled as more vaccine arrives.

H1N1 Vacci= ne Production and Availability

Many residents are concerned with the slower than expe= cted arrival of H1N1 vaccine. Please understand that the H1N1 vaccine, like other vaccines, is produced by manufacturers and distributed by the federal government. We will do all th= at we can to ensure orders are placed in a timely manner and that the vaccine is getting to the target populations.

As of October 28, 2009, New Jersey ordered approximately 1.3 m= illion doses of vaccine and more than 567,000 doses have been distributed to nearly 891 providers statewide. Ship= ments of the H1N1 vaccine will continue to arrive throughout this month and into = the winter.

The federal government has assured us that ultimately = there will be enough vaccine for everyone who wants it. However, with only limited vaccine available at this time, it is important to first target the individuals most susceptible to H1N1 flu.

H1N1 Target Populations

It is recommended that certain target groups be among = the first to receive the H1N1 vaccine as it becomes available. These groups include:

Pregnant W= omen

Household contacts and caregivers for children younger= than 6 months of age

Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel

All people from 6 months through 24 years of age

Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health condit= ions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza

H1N1 Vacci= ne is Safe

Many parents have raised concerns about the safety of = the new H1N1 vaccine. All vaccine= s, including the H1N1 vaccine, are held to the highest standard of safety and = are continually monitored. Each y= ear, millions of Americans safely receive seasonal flu vaccines. The H1N1 vaccine is made the same = way as seasonal flu vaccine by the same manufacturers that make seasonal flu vaccine. In addition, the Nat= ional Institute of Health (NIH) has conducted clinical trials for the H1N1 vaccin= e. The vaccine has been tested and sa= fely used in children, pregnant woman, and adults.

What You C= an Do to Stay Healthy ?

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough= or sneeze.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially = after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread = that way.

Stay home if you are sick.

Symptoms o= f H1N1

The symptoms of H1N1 flu include fever, cough, sore th= roat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrh= ea and vomiting. You should immediately call your physician if your child is exhibiting the above symptoms.